Australia: Justify son leads world's richest 2-year-old race

Storm Boy, an undefeated son of Justify, leads 17 entrants for the world's richest 2-year-old race Friday night. World-class jockey Ryan Moore flies in to ride Storm Boy for trainer Gai Waterhouse in the US$3.26 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Storm Boy was purchased by Coolmore in February in a deal reportedly worth US$32.6 million.

The Golden Slipper is one of five Group 1 races of exceptional depth on a 10-race card, which boasts an average field size of 14, not counting also-eligibles. First post at Rosehill on Friday is set for 9.15 p.m. EDT and will be simulcast live around North America by Sky Racing World.

Storm Boy was attracting interest from stud farms even before debuting in December. After a pair of impressive wins yielded key form lines and strong speed ratings, the Justify colt went to another level in the Magic Millions at Gold Coast. Burning the candle at both ends from an awkward gate while sending ratings experts into a frenzy, his performance ignited a full-blown bidding war for breeding rights. Coolmore’s offer prevailed, intricately structured to ensure that the original owners, who bought the bay colt for US$300,081 and have retained a minority share, will benefit from increased stud value based on future racetrack performances.

“We are extremely excited to secure Storm Boy with a great group of clients and friends from all over the world,” said Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. “His performance in the Magic Millions had to be seen to be believed. He broke his opponents’ hearts in a similar way to what Justify did.”

Returning after seven weeks, Storm Boy remained perfect by winning his March 1 prep race for the Golden Slipper. Any glimmer of optimism his opponents might have held was extinguished when the 6-5 favorite drew a coveted near-inside gate at Rosehill’s tricky six-furlong starting point. For the second consecutive year, Coolmore has called upon the services of global riding star Ryan Moore, who delivered them the 2023 Golden Slipper aboard Shinzo. Coolmore also owns the 4-1 second wagering choice, Switzerland, trained by Chris Waller. Waller enjoyed his first Golden Slipper triumph courtesy of Shinzo.

While Waller has been Sydney’s dominant trainer of the past decade, he is well behind Storm Boy’s trainer, Gai Waterhouse, in Golden Slipper wins. The inimitable Waterhouse, dubbed the “First Lady of Australian racing,” is a national treasure. Daughter of legendary trainer Tommy Smith, for whom the TJ Smith Stakes (G1) at Randwick next month is named, Waterhouse took over her ailing father’s stable in the early 1990s. While amassing 159 Group 1 wins, Gai eclipsed her father’s record of six Golden Slippers. Her seventh came since forming a training partnership with Adrian Bott seven years ago. The colorful, charismatic, outspoken and eternally optimistic 69-year-old was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and is the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, including being recognized as a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia.

Waterhouse has been a powerhouse of juvenile talent in recent seasons, and trains six of the Golden Slipper’s 16-strong main field including 9-1 third wagering choice Lady of Camelot, the best-fancied of four fillies in the field. She also trains the lone also-eligible entrant.

Seasoned veterans of Sydney racing are declaring this year’s Golden Slipper program unmatched in depth and quality. The program features four Group 1 races other than the Golden Slipper.

The Ranvet Stakes (G1), carded as race no. 5, is a 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, run under weight-for-age conditions. Top-class Australian 8-year-old Think It Over is challenged by several well-credentialed European invaders.

The Rosehill Guineas (G1), the sixth race on the card, is a 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds. Entries include four Group 1 winners, the promising and unbeaten Group 2 winner Immediacy and five other horses with graded-stakes placings.

The seventh race is the George Ryder Stakes (G1) at 7 1/2 furlongs. Open to 3-year-olds and up, it is run at weight-for-age. Think About It, winner of the world's richest turf race in The Everest (G1) earlier in the season, tackles his longest assignment.

The Galaxy, race no. 9, is a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for horses aged 3 and up,  run under handicap conditions. Exciting sophomore sprinter Ozzmosis, a winner of four from five career starts and prominent in future book wagering for next season’s The Everest, takes on elders for the first time.

The Golden Slipper, forecast to result in a perfect “Storm” despite sunny conditions, is carded as race no. 8 with a post time of 1:40 a.m. EDT on Saturday.  

The Rosehill card will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV this Friday night with first post at 9:15 p.m. EDT alongside cards from Eagle Farm, Kembla Grange and Gold Coast.

About Michael Wrona

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Michael Wrona has called races in six countries. Michael’s vast U.S. experience includes; race calling at Los Alamitos, Hollywood Park, Arlington and Santa Anita, calling the 2000 Preakness on a national radio network and the 2016 Breeders’ Cup on the International simulcast network. Michael also performed a race call voiceover for a Seinfeld episode called The Subway.

Coverage of Randwick for Horse Racing Nation is made possible through a sponsorship by Sky Racing World.